2017 Florida RV Trip, Days 10-11, Cindy, Alva, Ford & Edison

One Wednesday, Cindy flew back down to join us (about $60 on Allegient) for her first RV trip and while I looked after things on the home front, Pat and Bev picked her up at the airport then they all went to Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda for some shopping and to lunch.  Fisherman’s Village is a pier in the Peace River that has about 30 shops, restaurants and other businesses along with a marina – it’s a similar concept to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.  They had lunch at The Village Fish Market and all enjoyed their meals.

The next morning we went to the Alva Country Diner (about 15 miles east) for breakfast as recommended by the folks we are renting the site from.  It was your basic barn red painted wood siding on the outside but nicely done on the inside.

Pat and Cindy had omelets, Bev had chicken fried steak, and I had chipped beef gravy on biscuits with home fries and over easy eggs - only one usable shot.

The was your basic where-the-locals-eat restaurant serving normal diner food and doing it very well - the meals were all very good and everyone thought the potatoes were especially good - the service was also excellent.  I would definitely like to go back sometime and try out their lunch/dinner food.

That evening we went to a southwest Florida seafood chain called Pinchers where their stated mission is: "local fishermen fishing local waters for a local restaurant."  The restaurant is located on the second floor of the building that also houses the Marina at Edison Ford and we had a nice window table looking out on the water.  

Between us, we had broiled grouper, Ahi tuna, and coconut shrimp and all of our meals were good but not outstanding – I would rather have spent the $100 on seafood and cooked it ourselves - I especially need to cook the girls some coconut shrimp.

After supper we went next door for a guided tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates which were the side-by-side winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.  In addition to the homes and 20 acres of grounds and gardens, there is a botanic research lab and the Edison Ford Museum.  We couldn’t go inside the houses but viewed them through the open windows and considering Ford's wealth, I was surprised at how modest they were especially beside the winter home mansions of Newport, RI and the Biltmore House.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera but there are many shots on line.

As you can see, it was a busy day.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

12/6-12/7/17 Event Dates